SUCH IS the confidence in its revamped T-series combines, John Deere has already dubbed the new models as 'record-breakers'.

That trust stems from wholesale improvements and upsizing in the threshing department, which all point to an increase in throughput of 15%. Add to that one of the fastest unloading times thanks to a 125 litres per second auger and a new 40kmh top speed on new tracks, and you can see why they have bragging rights.

The comprehensive redesign centres around the threshing system, which now boasts the largest active separation area on the market of 3.3m² (five straw walkers) 4m² (six straw walkers) and the largest cleaning shoe area of 6m². The shoe is easily adjustable and has a new barrel-type fan set up, with dual fan speed.

While the main threshing drum stays at 660mm diameter, the concave has been tweaked to make the wrapping angle increase by 8°, which has the result of expanding the threshing area. Thanks to a faster chain speed, the feederhouse has 50% more torque to offer than outgoing models, making it better able to cope with wet and weedy crops. However, to cope better with what that throws at it, the rear separator drum has been increased to 800mm.

Though we saw the combines working in near perfect conditions recently in Hungary, those changes, plus a new separator grate with more openings, means that throughput can be maintained even when harvesting in damp conditions.

The latest T-series of four models also now feature new Final Tier4 emission compliant engines. The smallest, the T550, is unchanged at 271hp, though each of its bigger siblings, the T560, T660 (both now 334hp) and T670 (now 392hp) have had a power boost thanks to engine management changes, of between 14 and 20hp.

It's a similar revamp further down the food chain in JD's W-series, which also benefit from many of the same new features, especially in the threshing area. These also have the benefit of redesigned straw walkers, which are of a larger area and steeper for a more aggressive and cleaner action.

Not counting the 'compact' W models (W330/W440), there are four in the line-up all getting Tier4 engines, though the smaller two have no added oomph, with 235 and 271hp available, the larger ones do. The W650 gets three extra horses up to 302hp and there's 14hp extra for the 334hp W660.

Converting combines to different crops can be time consuming and frustrating, but JD's engineers have listened to customers. A new quick-engage booster bar - most commonly used with barley - now takes just three minutes to swing into place and the latest 600X header can be rapidly converted from barley to rape, with a quick-coupling rape knife, again in just a handful of minutes.

Common to all is the latest in 'joined up thinking' on wireless technology from John Deere, which includes ConnectedCombine and MyJohnDeere.com packages. Using GPS, these gather data from the combine and with the hands-free steering option, AutoTrac, allows a much less stressful operator environment, leaving him to concentrate on getting the most out of the combine.

Also, the use of interactive combine adjustment which, when allied to remote display access from a harvesting specialist, gives the driver the chance to 'see' how he is doing and accept advice on optimum settings remotely.

All the data, from fuel consumption to output and yield mapping can also now be downloaded via a wireless data transfer system to MyJohnDeere.com, the safe databank which subscribers can use to monitor yields, machines, crop data and use for future crop planning. It can also be used by contractors to prepare accounts for customers.